Katherine Adamu, the chief catering officer in the State House
was among the 313 Nigerians that got the national honours awards
recently.Katherine who had put in 24 years for catering for those in
the corridors of power was among the 53 that got the Member of the
Federal Republic (MFR) award. Some other notable personalities in this
category include, Mrs. Maiden Ibru, Publisher of The Guardian
Newspaper, veteran broadcaster, Moji Makanjuola, the National President
of National Council of Women Society Nkechi Mba, two Directors of the
Directorate of State Services (DSS), sprinter, Blessing Okagbare, Imeh
Isua, a taxi driver, activist Joe Okei-Odumakin and two coaches of the
national Under 17 National male football team, the captain of the Under
20 female football team, Patience Okaeme, actresses Joke Silva Jacobs
and Omotola Ekeinde.
On the occasion, President Goodluck Jonathan sprang
surprises by giving the designer of the national flag, Pa Michael Taiwo
Akinkunmi, the Officer of the Federal Republic (OFR) honour, and also an
automatic employment as a Special Adviser to the President for the rest
of his life.
In the same vein, the taxi driver, Isua, who returned N8 million forgotten in his vehicle, as well as the longest serving steward in the Presidential Villa, Mr. Michael Onuh were rewarded with a housing accommodation in the Federal Capital Territory.
But for Katherine, the fact that she has been given MFR award, the highest to be given to any catering officer in the Villa, is an indication that no work no matter how small is not rewarded.
Katherine has been in the State House Abuja since January 2003, her job is basically providing hospitality services to the President and his guests.
Abuja Metro met her at the forecourt of the Presidential Villa after the low key Independence Day celebration, where she disclosed that she got into catering by accident.
How does it feel being honoured?
I feel overwhelmed because I never knew he sees all that we do and he appreciates us. It is a good encouragement, and great motivation.
How long have you been a caterer in the state house?
In the State House I have been a caterer for 12 years, in Kaduna Government House I did 12 years; that is a total of 24 years.
Catering for high and mighty
Well, it is easy and at the same time difficult but it depends on how you comport yourself and your love for your job because you must love your job, you must know what you are doing and must realise that you are serving dignitaries most especially the number one citizen of the country. He deserves all the attention and you must provide all he requires. You must make sure he is comfortable. You must be courteous in the discharge of your duty, you must be on top of your game at all times. For people to come to love and appreciate you, you must be one that can be trusted, you must exhibit those qualities that will make you a likable person.
Number of presidents catered for
I have catered for Gen. Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida. He was actually the first person I actually catered for in Kaduna when he was on state visit. It was my first day at work in Kaduna State Government House in June 1988. I have catered for Alhaji Shehu Shagari, the Head of Interim Government, Ernest Shonekan, I served, Gen. Sani Abacha, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, I served President Olusegun Obasanjo in Kaduna, he was impressed with my service and then he requested I be transferred to the State House Abuja when he won election to be president.
Challenge of working for powerful people
These are high calibre individuals and to meet their standards you have to be focused, you have to be confident. The first time you meet your principal you have to study him very well, gradually you will get to know what he likes and what he dislikes. You must make sure that whatever he likes is available whenever he wants to eat. When he sees that it gladdens his heart. Knowing your principal is number one quality any caterer must have, that way you keep your principal at ease and you earn his trust.
Choosing the right food
You see in hospitality when you are planning a menu, you must know the kind of people you are planning for and then provide the kind of food those people will eat. First of all, when you are informed about the function, you must get the guest list and plan menus that will go down well with those expected, you must present meals people can eat comfortably because it is not everything people eat. For instance, when serving visiting heads of state, we go into the internet and check the kind of food that they eat. We also try to get information on what the first family of such country eats. We prepare the kind of food they are used to and prepare our Nigerian meals as well because you must never miss the opportunity to promote your country’s meals as well as give Nigerians present at the function opportunity to taste that country’s meals as well. If guests are Nigerians we ensure we present meals from the four geographical regions, you must provide alternatives for your guests.
Any regrets doing this?
There are no regrets because this is what I love doing. This is my passion. I love serving people, I love seeing people happy when they are in a function. Whatever you do in a function if the food and drinks are not there or are not enough, it becomes a flop. As far as people are concerned, that function never held. When people attend a function they should leave with good memories and I dare say food and drinks must be among them.
Any complains about your food?
To my knowledge I have not. I have always had commendations and recommendations from people.
How do you stay on top of your game?
I go on courses to improve on my skills and try out new things. Most times I go into the internet, I download recipes and try them out. I buy a lot of books on cooking, I listen to a lot of radio programmes on catering, I watch food channels on television and try some of those recipes out. I attend a lot of functions too. You know hospitality is very dynamic, if you are static with what you are doing then it will become monotonous and people will get tired of you. So you have to provide variety, provide good ambience, food and drinks. Food and drinks are important aspect of an occasion. They are fundamental things in life and must be done with care. You need food for your medication, you need food to stay alive. You don’t take chances when preparing food, you ensure your staff are well motivated and taken care off because they can mess you up, especially the cooks. Your staffers are supposed to be your friends. You can be firm, correct them in love but at the same time be accessible, friendly, listen to their needs and complaints, be there for them.
Did you wish or dreamed of being caterer?
To be sincere with you, I never knew what was catering. God used somebody to push me into this path when the person noticed the trait in me in 1984. The person just approached me and asked what I was doing after finishing my secondary school. I told him I was at home and he asked why I was not in higher institution and I told him I did not gain admission. He asked why I didn’t push further to gain admission and I said I lost my father at an early age and so I don’t have anybody to cater for me. He then asked if I knew anything about catering and my reply was no.
He asked if I did food and nutrition in school, I said yes. He then asked what was my score was and I told him. He then said he had a friend in Kaduna Polytechnic and if I was willing he will introduce me to him to assist in me in gaining admission. I told him I was willing. He gave me a note and the transport fare to go and meet his friend in Kaduna Polytechnic. But on getting there admission had closed and the friend was very sorry that I came late he then advised that I go in for the certificate course and if I did well, I will then gain admission into diploma course direct and I did just as he suggested. My result was very good. I was a paper short of making a distinction. I was given automatic diploma. I was supposed to do introduction into catering but I was given automatic diploma, again I came out in flying colours. Immediately I finished my diploma I got employment with the Dubar Hotel, and the week Gen. Babangida was coming to Kaduna I was employed to work with the Kaduna State Government House and he was my first high profile individual that I would cater for. That marked the beginning of a memorable career that I don’t regret till date.
State House budget and criticism
The truth is that many people don’t know what it means to be in the corridor of power. The corridor of power is all about hospitality. If anybody comes to see the president and the person is not given something as common as water will he be happy? He won’t be happy. So anybody that visits the president must be entertained at least with drinks and small chops and in some occasion you give food. There must be something to eat and drink at his meetings, which sometimes hold late at nights or into the wee hours of the morning. So there is nothing wrong in entertaining every of the president’s guest. When people criticise the budget, I really don’t blame them they simply don’t know what it means to be in the corridor of power, if they do they won’t criticise the budget. In fact if you ask me what is budgeted for is not even enough for the president’s guests. Everybody coming here must be fed.
What perks come with being the State House caterer?
I have gained recognition today by the president who gave me the MFR award, which is the highest honour given to a catering officer in this Villa. I am grateful to God and to Mr. President and the First Lady as well. This work exposes you to a lot people but you are not supposed to get carried away by that. It is not an avenue to look down on others, everyone that comes in here is very important and must be accorded the same treatment. It is a very honourable work and you get satisfaction when you see people eating the food you spent hours to prepare with relish. Food can kill and food can also make you get well immediately. So the major perk this job attracts is the commendation and recommendation, the joy of seeing people eating your food with appreciation.
Did you influence your nomination?
No. I never knew about my nomination. I just got a call from somebody that said Kate, just tell us a little bit about yourself and I said I have my Curriculum Vitae and they asked me to send it to them but I was never told what it was meant for. It was a week later that I was told it was an award and it was much later that I got to know it was a national honours award. I am very happy and you won’t understand what this awards means to me. Do you know what it means to be recognised by the President of your country for something you are passionate about?
Advice on aspiration
My advice especially to the youths is that hard work pays. Dedication to what you do pays. Being trustworthy pays, too. Carry out every assignment as if it is your first time, strive to beat your last record, this is service so strive to deliver the best that you possibly can. Use the money given to you judiciously, don’t cut corners with money, buy the best because you are entertaining first class citizens. Your work is both tangible and intangible. It is tangible because the result is seen by all. Be a good manager of both human and capital resources because you work with different kinds of people with different talents in kitchen and in the service area.
In the same vein, the taxi driver, Isua, who returned N8 million forgotten in his vehicle, as well as the longest serving steward in the Presidential Villa, Mr. Michael Onuh were rewarded with a housing accommodation in the Federal Capital Territory.
But for Katherine, the fact that she has been given MFR award, the highest to be given to any catering officer in the Villa, is an indication that no work no matter how small is not rewarded.
Katherine has been in the State House Abuja since January 2003, her job is basically providing hospitality services to the President and his guests.
Abuja Metro met her at the forecourt of the Presidential Villa after the low key Independence Day celebration, where she disclosed that she got into catering by accident.
How does it feel being honoured?
I feel overwhelmed because I never knew he sees all that we do and he appreciates us. It is a good encouragement, and great motivation.
How long have you been a caterer in the state house?
In the State House I have been a caterer for 12 years, in Kaduna Government House I did 12 years; that is a total of 24 years.
Catering for high and mighty
Well, it is easy and at the same time difficult but it depends on how you comport yourself and your love for your job because you must love your job, you must know what you are doing and must realise that you are serving dignitaries most especially the number one citizen of the country. He deserves all the attention and you must provide all he requires. You must make sure he is comfortable. You must be courteous in the discharge of your duty, you must be on top of your game at all times. For people to come to love and appreciate you, you must be one that can be trusted, you must exhibit those qualities that will make you a likable person.
Number of presidents catered for
I have catered for Gen. Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida. He was actually the first person I actually catered for in Kaduna when he was on state visit. It was my first day at work in Kaduna State Government House in June 1988. I have catered for Alhaji Shehu Shagari, the Head of Interim Government, Ernest Shonekan, I served, Gen. Sani Abacha, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, I served President Olusegun Obasanjo in Kaduna, he was impressed with my service and then he requested I be transferred to the State House Abuja when he won election to be president.
Challenge of working for powerful people
These are high calibre individuals and to meet their standards you have to be focused, you have to be confident. The first time you meet your principal you have to study him very well, gradually you will get to know what he likes and what he dislikes. You must make sure that whatever he likes is available whenever he wants to eat. When he sees that it gladdens his heart. Knowing your principal is number one quality any caterer must have, that way you keep your principal at ease and you earn his trust.
Choosing the right food
You see in hospitality when you are planning a menu, you must know the kind of people you are planning for and then provide the kind of food those people will eat. First of all, when you are informed about the function, you must get the guest list and plan menus that will go down well with those expected, you must present meals people can eat comfortably because it is not everything people eat. For instance, when serving visiting heads of state, we go into the internet and check the kind of food that they eat. We also try to get information on what the first family of such country eats. We prepare the kind of food they are used to and prepare our Nigerian meals as well because you must never miss the opportunity to promote your country’s meals as well as give Nigerians present at the function opportunity to taste that country’s meals as well. If guests are Nigerians we ensure we present meals from the four geographical regions, you must provide alternatives for your guests.
Any regrets doing this?
There are no regrets because this is what I love doing. This is my passion. I love serving people, I love seeing people happy when they are in a function. Whatever you do in a function if the food and drinks are not there or are not enough, it becomes a flop. As far as people are concerned, that function never held. When people attend a function they should leave with good memories and I dare say food and drinks must be among them.
Any complains about your food?
To my knowledge I have not. I have always had commendations and recommendations from people.
How do you stay on top of your game?
I go on courses to improve on my skills and try out new things. Most times I go into the internet, I download recipes and try them out. I buy a lot of books on cooking, I listen to a lot of radio programmes on catering, I watch food channels on television and try some of those recipes out. I attend a lot of functions too. You know hospitality is very dynamic, if you are static with what you are doing then it will become monotonous and people will get tired of you. So you have to provide variety, provide good ambience, food and drinks. Food and drinks are important aspect of an occasion. They are fundamental things in life and must be done with care. You need food for your medication, you need food to stay alive. You don’t take chances when preparing food, you ensure your staff are well motivated and taken care off because they can mess you up, especially the cooks. Your staffers are supposed to be your friends. You can be firm, correct them in love but at the same time be accessible, friendly, listen to their needs and complaints, be there for them.
Did you wish or dreamed of being caterer?
To be sincere with you, I never knew what was catering. God used somebody to push me into this path when the person noticed the trait in me in 1984. The person just approached me and asked what I was doing after finishing my secondary school. I told him I was at home and he asked why I was not in higher institution and I told him I did not gain admission. He asked why I didn’t push further to gain admission and I said I lost my father at an early age and so I don’t have anybody to cater for me. He then asked if I knew anything about catering and my reply was no.
He asked if I did food and nutrition in school, I said yes. He then asked what was my score was and I told him. He then said he had a friend in Kaduna Polytechnic and if I was willing he will introduce me to him to assist in me in gaining admission. I told him I was willing. He gave me a note and the transport fare to go and meet his friend in Kaduna Polytechnic. But on getting there admission had closed and the friend was very sorry that I came late he then advised that I go in for the certificate course and if I did well, I will then gain admission into diploma course direct and I did just as he suggested. My result was very good. I was a paper short of making a distinction. I was given automatic diploma. I was supposed to do introduction into catering but I was given automatic diploma, again I came out in flying colours. Immediately I finished my diploma I got employment with the Dubar Hotel, and the week Gen. Babangida was coming to Kaduna I was employed to work with the Kaduna State Government House and he was my first high profile individual that I would cater for. That marked the beginning of a memorable career that I don’t regret till date.
State House budget and criticism
The truth is that many people don’t know what it means to be in the corridor of power. The corridor of power is all about hospitality. If anybody comes to see the president and the person is not given something as common as water will he be happy? He won’t be happy. So anybody that visits the president must be entertained at least with drinks and small chops and in some occasion you give food. There must be something to eat and drink at his meetings, which sometimes hold late at nights or into the wee hours of the morning. So there is nothing wrong in entertaining every of the president’s guest. When people criticise the budget, I really don’t blame them they simply don’t know what it means to be in the corridor of power, if they do they won’t criticise the budget. In fact if you ask me what is budgeted for is not even enough for the president’s guests. Everybody coming here must be fed.
What perks come with being the State House caterer?
I have gained recognition today by the president who gave me the MFR award, which is the highest honour given to a catering officer in this Villa. I am grateful to God and to Mr. President and the First Lady as well. This work exposes you to a lot people but you are not supposed to get carried away by that. It is not an avenue to look down on others, everyone that comes in here is very important and must be accorded the same treatment. It is a very honourable work and you get satisfaction when you see people eating the food you spent hours to prepare with relish. Food can kill and food can also make you get well immediately. So the major perk this job attracts is the commendation and recommendation, the joy of seeing people eating your food with appreciation.
Did you influence your nomination?
No. I never knew about my nomination. I just got a call from somebody that said Kate, just tell us a little bit about yourself and I said I have my Curriculum Vitae and they asked me to send it to them but I was never told what it was meant for. It was a week later that I was told it was an award and it was much later that I got to know it was a national honours award. I am very happy and you won’t understand what this awards means to me. Do you know what it means to be recognised by the President of your country for something you are passionate about?
Advice on aspiration
My advice especially to the youths is that hard work pays. Dedication to what you do pays. Being trustworthy pays, too. Carry out every assignment as if it is your first time, strive to beat your last record, this is service so strive to deliver the best that you possibly can. Use the money given to you judiciously, don’t cut corners with money, buy the best because you are entertaining first class citizens. Your work is both tangible and intangible. It is tangible because the result is seen by all. Be a good manager of both human and capital resources because you work with different kinds of people with different talents in kitchen and in the service area.
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